Lyme Conservation Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 7th, 2008
1. Chair Matt Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:30. The following members of the Commission attended the meeting: Blake Allison, Russell Hirschler, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Adair Mulligan and Matt Stevens. Tom Morrissey of Post Pond Lane was the sole member of the public attending.
2. The minutes of June 2nd, 2008 were unanimously approved as submitted.
3. Land Conservation Updates/Lee Larson
Lee updated the commission on his ongoing investigation into a prime piece of potential conservation land in Lyme Center that may be soon come on the market. He says the owners had an appraisal done and the appraised value is consistent with the town assessment. Lee said that per the commission’s June 2nd vote, he has arranged to have our own appraisal done. He is awaiting the owners’ consent to proceed. There followed a discussion of how the property should be considered for appraisal, i.e. whether as a whole piece or as if it would be subdivided. The issue was also raised regarding what kind of ownership would make most sense - private ownership of the parcel with a conservation easement or public ownership with the town perhaps turning it into a park.
There were no new developments to be reported regarding the Lawless property.
4. Trails Updates:
A. Lee reported that John O'Brien would be logging the Ann Griswold and Breck Taylor properties where the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) Clay Brook trail is closed due to blow downs. He said the logging operation would take care of a lot of the trail’s cleanup. Russ requested he be notified when the work is completed so he can update the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA) web site.
B. Lee raised the question of what the new trail in the Town Forest should be named. After some discussion it was proposed and approved that the name should be “The Ledge Trail.” Lee said he would prepare a new map? Dick Jones and Lee volunteered to work on signage. In a related matter, the commission unanimously voted to expend $160 for 200 new trail markers.
C. Matt Stevens reported that the meadow paths had been mowed at Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary but trimming and pruning work was needed on the woods portion of the trail. Lower Grant Brook and Chaffee trails work done as needed.
D. Matt also reported that the Lower Grant Brook stream bank stabilization project was moving forward. He said the landowner has granted access and that stabilizing 60 feet of the embankment segment in question is the goal. After some discussion it was agreed that Saturday, August 2nd would be the best day for commissioners, and perhaps a few other volunteers, to commence work.
5. Town properties
Lee reported that for several years the Snelling family has been maintaining the
grounds of the Hewes Brook boat launch area. He noted the commission has
reimbursed them in previous years and in light of increased fuel costs, etc., an
increase in this compensation seemed appropriate. Dick proposed and the
Commission unanimously approved increasing the honorarium to $75.
6. Post Pond/Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary
A. Matt reported that town employees have been trained to monitor water level and perform dam breeches as necessary per Post Pond Water Level Policy. The employees will have access to a camera to record their work.
B. Matt has been documenting precipitation and water level fluctuations as well as monitoring the dams. He said the most recent gauge reading was 1.5 and that the two-foot level has been exceeded only twice since he began his monitoring. Nonetheless, standing water has been reported on the ball field. Blake Allison questioned whether that was symptomatic of poor drainage rather than excessive water levels. Several commissioners agreed that was the likely case. Matt also noted that neither of the two beaver dams appeared to be active.
C. On a related matter, Adair Mulligan expressed concern about potential safety issues arising due to Trout Brook eroding the stream bank along the ball field parking lot’s northern edge. She asked whether the town should place a barrier along it to prevent the possibility a car might fall over the edge. It was agreed this should be brought to the attention of town officials as it falls outside the commission’s purview.
7. State Department of Environmental Services Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act (CSPA) Revisions
Adair made a brief presentation about new provisions in the CSPA that went into effect on July 1st. Among several significant changes was the creation of a waterfront buffer “no disturb zone” extending inland 50’ from the shoreline. The act also includes increased funding for outreach, education and enforcement. A complete summary of the CSPA and an overview of key changes can be downloaded by going to the following link on the DES website: http://www.des.nh.gov/cspa/
8. Other Business
A. Tom Morrissey reported he is having ongoing discussions with the state’s Fish and Game Dept. and the DES regarding beaver dam regulation policy. He said no definitive answer had been received to date.
B. Blake asked whether it would be appropriate to include the results of site visits in the commission’s minutes. It was agreed that such a record would be useful in providing interested parties with a public record of site visit activity as well as documenting the commission’s work over the course of a year. It was unanimously approved to enter all site visit reports into the commission’s monthly meeting minutes.
C. Matt suggested the commission should provide as a follow up to a site visit an outline of what the landowner should know including a summary of the commission’s recommendations and a list of resources that might prove helpful going forward.
D. Blake noted that July 21st is the cutoff date for the comment period regarding the state’s revision of its threatened or endangered species listings.
9. Site Visit Summaries
A. Loch Lyme Lodge -- June 16th 2008
All seven Con Comm members appeared to assess potential impacts of a project proposed by the Lodge’s owners at their Post Pond swimming area. The owners want to repair a collapsing retaining wall at the water's edge, and build a perched beach. The state DES agrees it should be done together as one project. The Commission raised concerns about run off into the pond both during and after the project’s completion and made a series of recommendation aimed at addressing the matter. These included vigorous silt and runoff protection during construction, adding a buffer of native woody plants along the water’s edge and
directing runoff from the lawn and road so it does not run through the beach.
B. Hart -- June 16th, 2008
On Monday June 16 the Lyme Conservation Commission visited the proposed project site located at 711 River Road in Lyme, NH. Byron Haynes, architect for the project, was also in attendance to provide necessary information to Commission members. The project includes additions to an existing structure as well as the installation of a new septic system for the dwelling. The Commission examined the extent to which the project would have additional impacts on wetlands or other natural resources on the lot. Commissioners concluded there is no impediment to approving the permit application provided all mitigating procedures are followed during the construction phase.
C. Kitchel-McLaughlin – June 24th, 2008
Five members of the Conservation Commission made a site visit to the Kitchel-McLaughlin property, 261 River Road, Map 402 Lot 104, to assess potential impacts from a proposed revision to Landscape Plan dated May 22, 2008. This project was originally reviewed in January of this year. The proposed revision entails placing roughly 100 square feet of filled terrace within the 50 ft. setback limit of the Connecticut River (the outlet of Grant Brook). The Commission’s primary concern was the steep grade resulting down-slope of the retaining wall that creates the terrace. A discussion with the architect and construction contractor focused on ways to mitigate potential runoff impacts and erosion both during and following construction.
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